Concert Review
Judas Priest
Invincible Shield Tour 2024
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Empower Federal Credit Amphitheater
Syracuse, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
The show was the band’s first in Syracuse since 2005 when they last played at The Landmark Theatre. Nineteen long years between visits and the first noticeable thing was the performance and sound of the band. While the years have added up the band is still putting on very extremely satisfying shows for the fans and have not lost a thing. Even at 72 years of age vocalist Rob Halford is still singing like he was back when he last came to town in 2005.
The band hit the stage and set the tone of the show with “Panic Attack” the leadoff track from its 19th and latest album Invincible Shield. From there they wheeled out the familiar classic “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” After a start like that they followed by cranking out such gems from the Priest catalog as “Breaking The Law”, “Lightning Strike” and “Love Bites”. Sadly the latter was the only song from the classic album Defenders of the Faith which turned 40 earlier this year.
The show moved along before picking back up with “Sinner” and “Turbo Lover”. The main set ended with “Painkiller” which may be the fiercest and loudest song in the bands catalog. Simply amazing how Halford can still pull off the vocals to that song. The band managed to get “Electric Eye” in before the concert had to end due to severe weather and a torrential downpour. Not the way anyone wanted the concert to end but for everyone’s safety it was decided that was the way to go.
I never would have thought this band would still be touring in 2024. On top of that they are still churning out some great new music that still is finding its way on the music charts. As long as the band can put on performances like this and everyone is healthy it appears they will keep going. Definitely a win for young fans who may just be getting their first chance on seeing the metal legends live for the first time, as well as the legion of old fans who have been on board for many years. Swedish band Sabaton opened the show with a solid set that set the table nicely for Priest.
Judas Priest
Sabaton
Set List
Panic Attack
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
Rapid Fire
Breaking the Law
Lightning Strike
Love Bites
Devil’s Child
Saints in Hell
Crown of Horns
Sinner
Turbo Lover
Invincible Shield
Victim of Changes
The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)
Painkiller
Encore
The Hellion @Tape
Electric Eye
* Storm ended concert two songs early
